Dave loves to meet new people!

Dave Mokren has volunteered at the Guelph Food Bank for several years taking on various roles to help the organization and the work they do, ‘People Helping People’. The mission of the Guelph Food Bank is to create a supportive environment to improve the lives of their clients and Dave embraces and embodies all these qualities.

Dave has volunteered his time in a variety of ways; helping with garage sales and building renovations, but his main focus has been as a volunteer driver picking up and delivering non-perishable food items around Guelph. Dave’s willingness to train new driver volunteers shows how welcoming, compassionate and giving he is. A reliable and committed volunteer who also provides extra help to cover shifts as needed and now, in retirement, Dave continues to be in the driver’s seat. “Assisting with our morning runs throughout the city, picking up donations, dropping off agency orders, doing special pick ups, and covering for others when he can, Dave has been a rock on our driving team and we are ever grateful for the contributions he has made to our organization’s daily operations” says Pauline Cripps, Marketing & Communications Coordinator.

Dave emphasises that he “loves to meet new people” through his volunteering experience, getting to know everyone gives him “a sense of community”. Dave enjoys getting to know not only his fellow volunteers, but those who make donations and those who require the service.

When Dave is not volunteering he likes to spend his time being creative by doing woodworking and stain glass art. Dave also enjoys camping in Port Elgin and while he is there he takes art courses in Southampton. Dave says that there is “always a need for more volunteers and donations”, although he is very impressed by the generous donations that members of the community make. Dave is a great example of a committed volunteer who the Food Bank cannot imagine their team without!

“Dave has been an outstanding part of our team for a number of years” says Pauline, “At the Guelph Food Bank we strive to create a supportive environment aimed at improving the lives of our various clientele. Dave has been integral in helping foster this environment.”